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    Science FridayWhat Happens When Air Traffic Control Systems Go Dark?
    16 minEpisode 1039

    What Happens When Air Traffic Control Systems Go Dark?

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    At the end of April, air traffic control radar surveillance and radio communication systems at Newark Liberty International Airport went dark for over a minute. A week and half later, radar went down again briefly. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has since cut down the number of flights in and out of Newark. But, how does our air traffic control system work? How do air traffic controllers keep track of all of the planes in the sky? And what happens when systems fail?

    Guest:

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    © Science Friday and WNYC StudiosLength 16 min29 May 2025Episode 1039ScienceFactsEducationalUSAEpisodic

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    At the end of April, air traffic control radar surveillance and radio communication systems at Newark Liberty International Airport went dark for over a minute. A week and half later, radar went down again briefly. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has since cut down the number of flights in and out of Newark. But, how does our air traffic control system work? How do air traffic controllers keep track of all of the planes in the sky? And what happens when systems fail? Michael McCormick, a former air traffic control operations manager at the FAA, joins Host Flora Lichtman to dive into the science of air traffic control.

    Guest:

    Dr. Michael McCormick is a former vice president of the FAA’s Air Traffic Organization, and an associate professor and program coordinator of Air Traffic Management at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

    Transcripts for the segment will be available after the show airs on sciencefriday.com.

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    © Science Friday and WNYC Studios |Original Episode URL. The content, artwork and advertising within this podcast is not owned or affiliated with Sound Carrot and remain the property of their respective owners.


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